Press Intro
My artistic practice has developed through painting, experimentation, and long-term engagement with how environments shape perception and emotion. Over time, my work has transitioned from traditional painting toward more immersive, perceptual forms that combine material processes with conceptual exploration.
I value artistic exchange and collaboration, and I welcome opportunities to participate in exhibitions, interdisciplinary projects, residencies, and institutional initiatives that encourage dialogue between visual art, space, and contemporary experience.
Fot. Alina Żemojdzin, 2018
Long Artist Bio
GAJEK (Agnieszka Kraus) is a Berlin-based visual artist and painter whose work bridges contemporary painting with immersive perceptual experience. Born in Chorzów, Poland, in 1982, she holds a Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Serigraphy from the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk and studied painting at Marmara University in Istanbul.
Gajek’s practice investigates the tension between natural and constructed environments, exploring themes of alienation, displacement, and the psychological imprint of urban space. Her ongoing Error_ series, employing layered imagery and perceptual effects, invites viewers to reconsider perception, memory, and the boundaries between organic presence and artificial space.
Her work has been recognized with the Minister of Culture and National Heritage Award for Best Master Diploma in Painting (Poland) and nominations for cultural distinctions such as Storm of the Year and Creators of Culture in Gdańsk. Internationally, she has represented Poland at the Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean and exhibited in major venues including NordArt (Germany) and Canvascollectie RTBF at BOZAR (Belgium).
EDUCATION
2003–2008
Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Painting and Serigraphy
Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Poland
2007–2008
Painting Department (Erasmus Exchange)
Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
2001–2003
Art College in Gdynia, Poland
Specialization: Graphic Design
AWARDS AND HONORS
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42nd Painting Biennial „Bielska Jesień” — Galeria BWA, Bielsko-Biała, Poland, 2015
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Canvascollectie | Collection RTBF, competition, final exhibition, Centre for Fine Arts BOZAR, Belgium, 2012
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Storm of the Year 2009, nominated for the cultural award in Visual Arts category, Tricity, Poland
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City of Gdańsk Awards for Young Artists in the Field of Culture
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Award nominee for Creators of Culture in 2009 in Gdańsk
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XIV Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean — Skopje, Macedonia, 2009 & XIII BJCEM — Bari, Italy, 2008
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Minister of Culture and National Heritage Award for best master diploma in Painting in Poland (1st prize), 18th edition, Poland, 2008
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Cultural Scholarship of Marshal of Pomeranian, 2008
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Primus Inter Pares, best student in artistic field, AFA, Gdańsk, Poland, 2007-2008
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Cultural Scholarship of President of the City of Gdańsk, 2006-2008
SOCIAL FUNCTION
2018 Berufsverband Bildender Künstler*innen Berlin (BBK Berlin) - Membership
2016-2017 BBK Mannheim - Membership
2013 co-founder of the artistic-educational group KIWI, workshops and book design for kids, Belgium
2009 co-founder of the cultural association SWELINA in Sopot, Poland
2008 co-director of gallery Art Delicatessen in Gdańsk, Poland
2007 member of an artistic group PLAJ (A. Gajewska, P. Maksjan, L. Majewska, J. Kuklo)
2006 - 2008 student representative on the council of the Faculty of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Poland
2006 - 2008 member of the student government of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, Poland
2006 - 2007 teacher of art at Art Studio Znak on the Gdańsk Shipyard, classes in painting and drawing, Poland
FEATURED ACTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS
2025
• BAAM, Berlin Artits Art Fair, Berlin, Deutschland
• "Error_", solo exhibition, KIT Studioartspace, Berlin, Deutchland
2022
• Stiftung Starke, Löwenpalais, Berlin, Deutschland
2018
• Gajek mit Alexander Habisreutinger, [Kunst] Projekte, Mannheim, Deutschland
2017
• "Das Ewig Neue", Commerzbank, Mannheim, Germany
2016
• "GDAŃSK BIENNALE OF ART", Gdansk City Gallery 2, Gdańsk, Poland
•"Art Breidenbach" Art Fair, Port25, Mannheim, Germany
•"B-Seite" Festival for Visual Arts and Contemporary Culture, Zeitraumexit, Mannheim, Germany
•"Kunstpause", autopresentation lecture organized by Artgenossen, Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany
2015
• 42. Painting Biennial "Bielska Jesień", BWA Gallery, Bielsko-Biala, Poland
• "A w moim mieście jest inaczej" book promotion at the Polish Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
• "Truc Troc 'art & design, Laureates exhibition, Centre for Fine Arts BOZAR, Brussels, Belgium
2014
• "International Art Exhibition NordArt" in Kunstwerk Carlshütte, Büdelsdorf, Germany
• "Error_" solo exhibition, Brussels Art Factory, Belgium
• "Merge", group exhibition, Brussels, Belgium
2013
• "9e Biennale Internationale de Gravure", Museum of Fine Arts in Liege, Belgium
2012
• "Canvascollectie | Collection RTBF", the Centre for Fine Arts BOZAR, Brussels, Belgium
2011
• "Tina.B" The Contemporary Art Festival - installation "The Infinity", Prague, Czech Republic
• Co-organizer of festival "Swelina Open Kurort of Culture", Sopot, Poland
• "Barriere de Degel", group exhibition, Brussels, Belgium
2010
• Solo exhibition "oh, my de e / and r 'in two, Gdańsk, Poland
• Solo exhibition "Something there" Sikorski Gallery, Gdańsk, Poland
• Solo exhibition at the festival "Streetwaves" - "Wonderful" Lastadia, Gdańsk, Poland
• Solo exhibition in a series of "Presentation of the Young" Sphinx, Sopot, Poland
2009
•Exhibition in Gallery "From Time to Time" in Gdynia, Poland
• Solo exhibition "Saudade" The BWA Contemporary Art Gallery in Legnica, Poland
• Mural "The Universe" International Festival of Lights "Sky Ways", Torun, Poland
• "Katherine in Fire", a solo exhibition, St. Catherine's Church, Gdańsk, Poland
• PLAJ group and W. Jacaszek, performance, Streetwaves Festival, Gdańsk, Poland
• PLAJ, exhibition and performance, Refectory Gallery, Kartuzy, Poland
• "6th National Biennial of Students of Graphics", Poznan, Poland
• "18th NYPR PROMOTIONS", Museum of Archeology and History, Glogów, Poland
• "Fresh Paint", serigraphy collective exhibition, Museum of Lublin, Poland
• "SAUDADE", a solo exhibition, Manhattan Art Center, Gdańsk, Poland
2008
• "Mutual Inspirations Exhibition of Moments", Cultural Centre, Lublin, Poland
• "Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean", Bari, Italy
• "1001 actions for dialogue in Poland", performance, International Cultural Centre in Cracow, Poland
• "Hestia artistic journey", group exhibition, Gdańsk, Poland
• "Grannar / Neighbors / Neighbours", PLAJ performance, Blekinge Museum, Karlskrona, Sweden
• "Old town, new ideas", Burnside Gallery, Isle of Arran, Scotland
• Collective painting exhibition, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
2007
•"IN OUT" Festival, the Modern Art Center Łaźnia, Gdańsk, Poland
• "Recording of the Dance", special award at the FAMA festival, Tricity, Poland
• Mural "Home sweet home", Street Art Gallery Węzeł Kliniczna, Gdańsk, Poland
• 2nd Review of Video Art and Experimental Films, Rybnik, Poland
• "Recording of the Dance" - a happening, Cukrownia, Pruszcz Gdański, Poland
• "Recording of the Dance" - a happening, Poland 7th International Educational Fair, Warsaw, Poland
2006
•"Kozy" (Goats), a solo painting exhibition, Bar Mleczny (Milk Bar), Gdańsk, Poland
Contact
Interested in my work? Contact me for commissions, exhibitions, or collaborations.
(+49) 0159 01529 419